Vulcanizer



| o. GRANGE 'VULCANIZER May 6, 1930.

Filed May 23, 1927 f/zyzzzar [e0 ray 6 gm l M? ?aten ted May 6, 1936UNITED STAT-ES PATENT OFFICE LEO o. GRANGE, on CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,ASSIGNOR T WALTER .I. JARRATT. or

. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS VULCANIZER Application filed Kay 28, 1927. SerialNo. 193,465.

My invention relates to a retreading device for rubber tires. It has forone purpose the provision of means for preventing deformation of thetread at the ends of the matrix. Another purpose is the provision of an1mproved end block for use with the retreader and matrix. Other objectswill appear i'rom time to time in the course of the specification andclaims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in theaccompanying draw ings, wherein- Figure l is a perspective view of my device' I 1 Figure 2 is a partial vertical section on an enlarged scalejFigure 3 is an end view of the retreading block shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an elevation of the end block shown in Figures 2 and 3; andY Figure 5 is a section on the line 5.5 of Figure 3.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specificationand drawings. A generally indicates the main housing or casing of theretreading device, the details of which form no part of the presentinvention.

It will be understood that it includes means for generating or directingthe heat necessary for the retreading process. Positioned in the memberA is any suitable holding member A in which is positioned, preferablyremovably, any suitable matrix A. A indicates the central aperture orcavity in which may be located any suitable heating medium for applyingheat to the exterior of the matrix throughout substantially its entirearea.

B generally indicates an end block adapted to be associated with thematrix and to pre-v 40 vent or reduce the heating of the tire beyond 1the area of the matrix. The block includes a relatively thick forwardmember B of heat insulating material, adapted to contact the outer endof the member A and of the matrix A A I do not wish to be limited to anyparticular material, as the member B may be made of fiber, asbestos orany other suitable material or compound. Associated with it is ametallic casting or member B which is spaced away from the member B butis pro penetrating the member vidcd with flanges B which abut againstthe member B and enclose an extended dead air space Bf within the endblock. The member B and casting B are secured to each other by screws BIn order to secure the end block in position I provide'a plurality offixed securing members C C. herein shown as bolts or screws A as at CThe end block is notched as at C C to conform to said bolts, the bolthead serving to prevent movement of the plate away from the memberA Atthe opposite side of the member A is positioned a locking abutment C vAdapted to engage it is a lever latch includingthe abutment C upon theblock B the link or stirrup C pivoted thereto and the lever C pivoted atthe outer end of the stirrup C intermediate its ends, and provided witha rounded locking end C adapted to engage the member C In the operationof my device the tire, with the material to be vulcanized thereupon, is

seated in the matrix and is loclied in position bv means of the clampsD. The application of heat in the housing A heats the heating medium inthe hollow A and applies heat evenly throughout the matrix A It isimportant that the rubber of the tire beyond the area to be retreaded benot softened, since otherwise it will give or run about the end of thematrix or end block, leaving an indentation or unevenness in the tire.The end plate therefore serves as a form or containerfor the portionimmediately adjacent the end of the matrix Whichis inevitably softened,

and also prevents the heating of-that portion of the tire which projectsbeyond the outer edge of the block. The rubber of-the tire bemg a poorconductor it is necessary only to reduce the transmission of heat fromthe matrix along the block. This result I obtain by employing the thickfiber member B which is of heat insulating material. The conductioii ofheat to the metallic portion B is further reduced by the interpositionof the dead air space B which is in communication with the member B onlyby'the relatively thin flanges B 1 A further advantage of my device isthe ready removability of the end block. One reason for the importanceof this ready removability is the fact that it is often desirable toremove the end block in order to see that the pattern of the matrixmatches properly with the pattern of the tire which is being vulcanized.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and shown a practicaland operative device, nevertheless manychanges might be made in thesize, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from thespirit of my invention. I therefore wish my drawings and description tobe taken as in a broad sense illustrative and diagrammatic rather thanas limiting me to my specific showing.

I claim:

1. An end block for application to a retreading device and matrix, whichincludes a member composed of heat insulating material, and abody membersecured thereto and insulated therefrom by an air space. headed abutmentmembers fixed upon the retreading device. the end block being notched toreceive them. an additional locking member positioned elsewhere upon theend block and a cooperating member treading device.

2. The combination with a vulcanizer housing and matrix of an end blockadapted to be positioned upon said housing adjacent the end of suchmatrix and securing means therefor adapted to permit the ready removalof the end block from the housing. comprisingan overhanging projectionon the housing positioned upon the readapted to penetrate an opposednotch in the end block, nd a pivotedlocking member adapted to connectthe end block and housing at a point distant from said first mentionedsecuring'means.

3. A composite end block for vulcanizing devices comprising a metallicbody member having a circumferential flange, a body of heat insulatingmaterial in direct contact with said flange and defining therewith aclosed air space within the metallic body,

and a plurality of means securing said metallic body and said heatinsulating member together, at least some of said securing meansextending through said airspace to thereby minimize the conduction ofheat to the me tallic body member.

4. A composite end block for vulcanizing devices comprising ametalilc-body member having a circumferential flange, a body of heatinsulating material in direct contact with said flange and definingtherewith a closed air space within the metallic body, means securingsaid metallic body and said heat insulating member together, and movablemeans for securing the end block as a unit to a vulcanizing device, saidsecuring means being fixedly secured to the metallic body member.

5. A composite end block for vulcanizing devices comprising a metallicbody member having a recessed face, a body of heat insulating materialsecured to said face. and

defining an enclosed dead air space within the metallic member, andmeans for securing the end block as a unit to a vulcanizing device,including a latch member permanently secured to the metallic bodymember.

6. In a vulcanizing apparatus, the combination of a mould, an end blocktherefor, and quick detachable locking means for securing the block tothe mould.

7. In a vulcaniz'ing apparatus, the combination of a mould, an end blocktherefor, andquick detachable means for securing the block to the mould,said means including a pivoted latch member carried by the block.

8. In a vulcanizing apparatus, the com bination of a mould, an end blocktherefor, and quick detachable means for securing the block to themould. said means including a lug carried by the mould and a cooperatingmember movably connected-to the end block.

Signed at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, this 18th dayof May, 1927.

LEO O. GRANGE.

